I can definitely relate. I am extremely lucky though, since I only worked at one agency before I went solo. Graphic design has been my passion, so even when I was working at the agency it was never like “work” to me. Most of the time, I need to remember to stop working.

During our move to San Antonio, Jeremy mentioned that I should officially start our own LLC design studio. That was it, no turning back. The joy and pain of dealing with clients comes with the freedom of being your own boss. One year later, Jeremy quit his full time job and joined me full time with the business as the web programmer and photographer.

Now we are happier than ever. Business is doing really well even without any marketing. Our schedule is however we want it to be.

Like Eric said, there are so much more overhead that comes with owning a business. We seems to manage to keep the business extremely efficient and simple. I want to stay small, like a “boutique” design studio, so there is not much pressure on expanding and managing employees. We want to focus on few projects, and deliver high quality products.

Your adventure got me really thinking about a second career. At the moment, I don’t think that I will ever get tired of designing. And I know I am not the “retire” kind, I always need something to do! But, what if one day I do get tired of designing website and brochures~

Since we are in Bartlesville, Oklahoma right now, where there are lots of horse ranches… maybe we can try working at one for a month and see how we like it and learn something new!

PS: Little update about us, our stick house is under contract, yay~ Hopefully the inspection went through and we will close on the 15th. We will be “houseless” then!

Jim comes from an entrepreneurial family. I don’t. Thus, I never knew I had it in me to run a business. The corporate life always bored me to tears, but it was the easiest way for me to make a living. Still, from the time I got my first real job in college, I always thought any work sucked, and I hated all of it. The only job I ever really loved was when I worked for a very small design firm, and was in charge of so many different elements of the business. None too critical, but still, that was the turning point for me, when I realized that if I could do that job, I could probably run my own show.

Who knew I’d love having gigantic kinds of responsibilities on my shoulders? Hell I couldn’t even balance a checkbook when we started, but when I became CFO, I knew that our survival was up to us, and us only. It was enough of a kick in the pants to seek help, and make our business thrive.

Yes, being self-employed means a lot of sleepless nights and stress. But it’s worth it to me. I love the idea of being self-sustaining, and not at the mercy of some fascist corporation or individual signing my paychecks.

For anyone even thinking of starting a business, I say go for it. Start up wisely though, like you said. Take some classes, talk to people who’ve been there, and do what you do best and outsource the rest.

You’ll never know what you can really do, or like to do (or don’t like to do) until you break the shackles of corporate oppression and strike out on your own!

Rene, whenever I hear someone say they want to be their own boss I have to take pause and catch my breath so I don’t bury them with an avalanche of bile-tasting responsibilities they will come to know and embrace - like it or not.

Self employment is tre cool but man it will shake the laziness right out of your bones. In other words, if you were a lazy employee then self-employment is probably the last thing you should be considering. I’ve never met a lazy person whose successful save for those who’ve made enough money to afford they’re own brand of laziness.

There’s an old Swedish proverb, “If you want a helping hand look at the end of your arm.” Man when you’re self-employed you will be responsible for everything (taxes, payroll, collections, new accounts, materials, infrastructure and so on).

There’s a difference between hobbyist incomes and that of self-employment and as such I would urge anyone considering self-employment to take small steps while mastering a few fundamentals such as bookkeeping and taxes.

Until then, enjoy your jobs, get out on weekends, and visit Hawaii on your paid vacations.

Over and out - Eric

You and I must be twins! I get easily bored with conventional jobs and have found owning my own business to be so liberating! I’m not one to let the grass grow under my feet and am always looking for new adventures and opportunities! Right now, I live vicariously through folks like you who had the courage and the ability to hit the road and see what’s out there. BTW, a few days ago, I sent an email to your address associated with your Simple Living forum account, which is where I first heard about your journey. We live in Colorado and would love to meet up with you and Jim when you hit the road again. Best of luck!

-Lilla